Welcome Newcomers!

What is the SCA?

The Society for Creative Anachronism, or SCA, is a legally chartered, not-for-profit group whose aims are:

to reproduce and recreate the best aspects of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, especially the ideals of courtesy, chivalry and personal honor

to keep the culture and society of the Middle Ages and Renaissance alive

to support the research of medieval and Renaissance history as well as the study and practice of the arts and sciences of the Middle Ages and Renaissance

to provide a forum for medieval sports and martial activities including heavy (armored) combat, fencing, archery, and equestrian arts

Most of the SCA’s activities take place within a social structure modeled and adapted on that of the Western European Middle Ages. This allows participants to immerse themselves in the culture, arts, crafts, sciences, traditions, literature and lifestyles of the period. The SCA defines its scope as pre-17th century, meaning that individuals recreate all historical periods up to the year 1600 CE/AD. In the SCA most of the world can be a source for personal inspiration, research and reenactment. Many members focus on the Middle East or Far East, though the core of the SCA focuses on Western Europe.

Is this a Ren Faire?

One of the things that makes the SCA different from Renaissance Faires is that the SCA is a participatory organization – there is no “audience” and no “performers”. Everyone who attends an SCA event becomes both “performer” and “audience” by participating in the activities around them. In the SCA you can learn to dance period dances, do calligraphy and illumination, make and fight in armor, fletch arrows, card wool, dye fabric, loom and sew period clothing, cook period food based on medieval writings, and do pretty much anything else that was done in middle ages and renaissance periods. What makes the SCA different from a Medieval History Class or Humanities 101 Class is that instead of just reading books about things, you actually do them!

Some History of the SCA

The SCA began in Berkeley, California in 1966 and has grown to become an organization with an estimated 100,000 participants with groups located all around the globe! Every country that hosts a local SCA group is considered to be part of the “Known World”. The SCA divides the Known World into 19 kingdoms, each ruled over by a King and Queen and a staff of Kingdom Officers. We reside in the Kingdom of An Tir, and our lands are held in trust by the Baron and Baroness of Madrone (pronounced “muh DRONE uh”). Within our borders, we also have the Canton of Porte de l’Eau (east King County). The Barony is most of King County, although we do share borders with our closest neighbor to the South, the Barony of Wyewood. We are the oldest Barony in the Kingdom, with a sizable population that practices a very diverse set of interests.

Structure of the SCA

The SCA is generally divided up by geographic areas into smaller regions. Kingdoms are generally the largest areas, each with a Crown (King/Queen) chosen by right of armed combat. There are Principalities within some kingdoms, and the Prince and Princess are chosen by right of armed combat. Baronies are the next largest group by population density; a Barony can be the size of a single county/province or several counties in a rural area. Baronies have titular representatives appointed by the Crown with limited term durations. The Baronetcy works in conjunction with the Curia (governing council) on business matters. For areas smaller than a Barony (Shire, Canton, College, Stronghold) the group is generally run by the governing council.

We have many activities on our events calendar including weekly fighter practice/social time, monthly business meetings the second Monday of every month, and Social/Music/Dance night on the third Monday of every month. You can join us on our Facebook group page, or join our email list, or both.